Many diabetics unaware of higher risk for flu-related complications

SINGAPORE: Doctors are advising diabetics to get their annual flu shots as they are at higher risk of serious health complications from the flu. Studies show that persons with diabetes are two to four times more likely to die from the flu and pneumonia when compared to healthy individuals. Persons with diabetes are also six times more likely to be hospitalised for flu complications. In Singapore diabetes is the fifth most common medical condition diagnosed and one of the top six killer diseases. Yet, the flu vaccination rate among diabetics remains low and is becoming a rising concern for doctors in Singapore. The Diabetic Society of Singapore said in a local study of 307 diabetics, close to 70 per cent of the participants had never received a flu vaccination although a large majority (80 per cent) knew that they were at a moderate or higher risk for flu-related complicati...